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Lincoln
Today has been crazy and amazing at the same time. Lily was glowing as she got ready to marry the love of her life. She didn’t hesitate or worry because she was sure that marrying Jessica was everything she wanted. I’m in awe of her determination and strength and taking her confidence in this wedding to calm my nerves.
Her mother and stepfather are the only ones not here to see her confess her love and Lily didn’t care for their issues with her, which made me proud of the woman she’s become. I can thank her wife for that. Jessica gave Lily the support she needed to face the obstacles she’s found. Others didn’t see her choice in marrying Jessica as best both because she was young and was marrying a woman. I didn’t agree and here I thought I was the jaded one about marriage. Lily’s in love, and it gives me hope for love again after I failed at marriage.
Morgan and I were in love once, but the relationship Lily has with Jessica is different, and I understand that now. I know her marriage will outlive mine because she threw herself entirely into it. Morgan and I hadn’t. Morgan was as dedicated to her career as I was back then and our only connection was through sex and a desire to show a together family when Lily was born. It was an illusion, but the love that makes you think with your heart is more. That’s what Lily and Jessica have. That’s why I support her marrying so young even though Morgan said it was the biggest mistake she’ll ever make. Her mother still has issues regarding young love. I don’t. Love walks into your life at different times and ages. Embrace it or let it go. And Lily won’t let Jessica go.
I made the walk down the aisle earlier without looking around much, so when I look at who walks up next to Lily, my brows rise in surprise. Well, if it isn’t Jake Stone, her childhood best friend. I take a sip of my drink and watch the scene unfold from the sidelines.
Someone I never thought I’d see again was Jake. His parents’ death seven years ago was difficult, and he ended his friendship with my daughter without looking back. He’s grown up now and is a good head taller than Lily. He’s dressed in gray slacks and a white button-up rolled at the sleeves to expose his forearms. Jake looks healthy and happy—not that I’m surprised, considering he’s had Kate’s support all these years. I also see the regret in his eyes when he sees Lily for the first time.
Lily squeals and jumps into Jake’s arms, wrapping her legs around him as he takes her in his embrace. Jessica stands nearby, wiping the tears from her eyes. Lily has been a spark of happiness today, and it’s only amplified now. I’ve never seen my daughter this happy.
When Jessica’s hand comes up to wipe the tears away from her eyes again, a smile spreads across my face. I know who orchestrated getting the rock star to my daughter’s wedding and I’m positive she used her father’s wealthy connections to get the job done. I doubt many have access to a celebrity like Jake. I’ve followed his career, thanks to Lily’s obsessive stalking.
Lily is in tears as she steps back from Jake’s embrace and reconnects with him. I walk up to my daughter-in-law and take her in my arms. Jessica is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. Some of our family don’t agree that her and Lily marrying at twenty years old is smart, but for me, it doesn’t matter if they marry today or in ten years. They’ll weather this storm of marriage together.
“You did this for her?” I ask, although I know the answer. Jessica’s arms wrap around my waist and she rests her head on my chest. Her laughter mixes with the tears that fall, and it makes me love her more. She will take great care of my daughter. I thank her for what she’s done.
“I thought of what my wife wanted most in the world and made it happen.”
I knew right then why this woman stole my daughter’s heart and I didn’t want her to give it back. She’s now the only person I trust it with more than myself.
With my arm wrapped across Jessica’s shoulders, I watch Lily. Then my gaze slips over her head when a woman snags my attention. My breath catches in my throat. I glance back at Jessica one more time, and she’s looking up at me with a warm, knowing smile.
She invited Kate Alverson. “Go, Dad. Go talk to her.” She shoves me away.
The emotions at seeing Kate again after so many years throws me off, and my heart skyrockets in my chest. I find Kate’s green eyes across the room, and I’m moving before I can stop myself. I’m drawn to her. It’s been seven fucking years since I’ve seen those green eyes and I’ll never forget them, of that, I’m certain.
“Kate?” The moment I say her name, her shoulders relax. She looks different but still the same as I’ve always remembered and radiates that happiness I’ve always felt from her. Her hair is shorter, and blonde, cropped below her jaw. She still has the same heart-shaped face and a few more freckles dot across the bridge of her nose like she’s enjoyed the beach. Only a few wrinkles form in the corners of her eyes as she’s aged. She’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.
I’m standing before her and then I’m lost again like when I first saw her, but it’s even stronger than before. I’ve missed her, and the way her eyes light up as they do now as she takes me in for the first time in years. I missed the way she sounds when she laughs, like she’s doing now. Kate smiles up at me, and I’m at a loss of what to say. She’s always been the one to leave me speechless.
“Hey, Lincoln. I’m so happy for you. Your daughter is stunning today, and her wife is gorgeous too. Their wedding is everything a wedding should be. They look so in love.” She shakes her head with her hand placed on her chest right above her heart. I wonder if it’s beating as fast as mine is. “Thank you for inviting us to come and be part of this with you.”
Kate’s rambling how she used to do, and I can’t help the smirk that comes on my face. She’s everything I remember, and I can’t look away. I’ve thought of her and our time together many times over the years apart because she left a piece of herself with me I could never let go of, even when I wanted to give up hope of seeing her again.
Her hands fly to her face to hide her embarrassment, but I catch those blushed cheeks she tries to mask. “I’m rambling in front of you again.”
“It’s good to see that hasn’t changed,” I tell her. Then I allow my eyes to devour her like a man starving. Kate slides her hand through her short hair, and her pink lips quirk up at the corner.
“You haven’t changed either.” With that comment, she scans over my face, as though to be sure, and it’s such a gentle caress. I can’t stop my hand from trailing a path along her temple and tucking one of her blonde strands behind her ear. I’d held off as long as I could in her presence without touching her.
“You’ve changed your hair, though.”
Her breath catches at my touch, and it makes everything around us fade away—the music and laughter, the wedding around us melts away.